Pop music spotlight: Andrew Bird

Article by: CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER

Star Tribune

December 15, 2012 - 3:07 PM

ANDREW BIRD

Monday: On the day David Letterman taped his show without an audience because of superstorm Sandy, this Illinois-bred indie-folk-rock stalwart delivered a serene performance of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You" -- as heard on his rootsy, new mini-album "Hands of Glory" -- that perfectly suited the occasion. Bird has similarly become a calming presence amid the pre-holiday mayhem in the Twin Cities, home to his bandmates Martin Dosh and Jeremy Ylvisaker and thus a regular year-end stop. They also issued the rockier disc "Break It Yourself" earlier this year, so there's plenty from 2012 for Bird's crew to look back on. Jazz freaks Fat Kid Wednesdays open, featuring another local Bird alum, Michael Lewis. (8 p.m. Mon. $32.50-$40. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. www.ticketmaster.com.)